Impish figure steeped in history and acid rain

EAGLE-eyed parishioners at St Cuthbert’s in Halsall may have spotted an imp which sits mocking passers-by from the church walls – but not everyone may know just how old, or how rare the little demon is.

EAGLE-eyed parishioners at St Cuthbert’s in Halsall may have spotted an imp which sits mocking passers-by from the church walls – but not everyone may know just how old, or how rare the little demon is.

Imp carvings are often positioned on the exterior buttresses or towers of the churches and they represent the evil that lay outside the churches, forbidden to enter.

They reminded the faithful of the torments that awaited any who fell out of favour with God.

Halsall church has many carvings in stone and wood and images on the exterior of the 14th century building have taken a battering from the elements over the centuries and some are entirely defaced.

The imp is a mischievous little creature with bony arms, a small nose and a cheeky grin. It may have been a visual reminder to naughty medieval children that the devil takes many forms. His head and eyes have suffered from acid rain but you can still make out his piggy nostrils.

Church warden Brian Heaton said: “The church was constructed in 1320 and that’s when the imp would have been carved on the church. There are some gargoyles that have been put on the church as well. They are there to scare away evil spirits.”

The Halsall demon can be found on the south side of the church, which is the side where the sun shines on and where the entrance porch is situated.

It is at the altar end on the right arch of the middle chancel window mocking passers-by and laughing at the sun.

He is in good company with other austere face carvings surrounding it.

Halsall church’s Rev Barry Keal, said: “Not many people know about the imp at Halsall church.

“It was only recently that I heard about it myself. My family are from Lincoln and so I know about the imp at the cathedral there.

“The story is that the imp was trying to get into heaven but got its leg trapped.”